New to me CT 36 - Does not seem as strong as my Rigid

[Basshunter]

So I picked up a CT 36 and a couple of bags from a CL seller this week.  Got it to go with the track saw I got a week or so ago (which I got from an a wwing acquaintance).

The vac seems to run fine - all controls work as they should.  I am a little concerned if it is working correctly though.  The amount of suction seems to be less than the Rigid vac it is replacing.  I have always heard these CT's suck more than others...It just does not seem to be the case.  I have no data or facts, just a difference in the feel of it when cleaning off tools and the floor.

The rigid vac has a bigger hose, but the pressure seems much greater than the CT...  Anyone else have these two vacs - any feedback on your CT vs. a rigid vac would be appreciated.  This is my first experience with a CT so I don't have any point of comparison to gauge if this vac is working similar to other CTs...

I assume I am worrying for nothing, but thought I would ask for any feedback people may have?

Thanks in advance...

 

[LarsL]

Hi just a couple of questions as you bought the CT used.

1)  Are you using a brand new bag?  Suction can take hit if someone was doing something like sanding drywall and you are using the same bag.  Same thing goes for the hepa filter.  Take a look at both and ensure they are in good shape. 

2)  Make sure you have the dial cranked for power.  It goes well past the line that denotes full power on mine.

3)  What size hose are you using?  Depending on the tool you have it hooked to the dust extraction is significantly better with the larger diameter 36mm hose.

I really like mine but have never owned a Rigid to compare it to.

 

[Kev]

It'd also be worth checking the condition of the filter and checking the hose for blockages, etc.

 

[Basshunter]

Hmm...I am using the filter that was in the machine...It is less than half full - although it is a fine composite type material - not drywall though...

The filter seemed pretty good - I pulled it out and banged it on the ground - not much of anything came out...it looks clean, although the pleats are bent over on one side.

Will check the hose - that may be contributing as the prevous owner has taped a bend in the hose -to make a permanent type of offset (for use on his router).  He thought that was all the tape was for and did not think it was damaged....It was taped up so well I did not want to pull it apart in case there was a hole or something.

I will try a new bag to see if I notice any difference...

I am using the 27mm hose.

Thanks for the thoughts on what to investigate...

 

[Baartman]

I have both a Ridgid vac and the CT26, the Ridgid does seem to "suck" with greater force. I don't consider it an issue. If I need to clean a dirty mess, I'll use the Ridgid. If I'm using a vac in conjuction with woodworking, it's the CT.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Ok, besides of the possible points given above, it's just a fact the Festool vacs aren't the strongest ones out there. I don't know why people would say they're so strong, because they're really somewhere in mid range as far as suction power goes. Personally, I'm not bothered about it for one single second. They're quite good as they are.

The hose does have quite some influence on it's suction. Most vacs give you standard a 36 mm hose, but Festool gives you a 27 mm hose because that hose works better with most tools. And that shows you how Festool mainly envision their vacs: as dust extractors, not as mere shop vacs. Their prime concern is picking up dust right at the source, instead of mopping up afterwards. The 27 mm hose is standard on Festool vacs because it is easier to work with because of it's smaller size, while still giving a good enough dust extraction at the tool.

When you do get a 36 mm hose you'll find that the suction is quite a bit increased. The 36 mm hose is definitely recommended for general cleaning tasks. The 27 mm hose really falls short there.

But people should stop expecting the most expensive vac to suck the hardest. That's not how you really define a vacs' performance. I know a number of vacs that are stronger than any of my Festools, but frankly, they're irritating to work with on full suction because they get stuck to a surface all the time.

 

[Basshunter]

Thanks for the comments - I kinda thought that was the case....I thought I would check though cause doing my research on the Fesi vacs, I read multiple post exclaiming how much more powerful they were compared to other vacs.  I am fine with it not being as strong as I plan to use the Rigid for general cleanup, etc...

I just wanted to inquire and not assume anything.  I think I will head off to a Rockler and try one of theirs to give me some kind of basis for comparison.

But I think it is working properly - just not the sucking strength I thought it might have...

 

[andy5405]

Alex is spot on, my CT26 doesn't have the greatest suction but it is a dust extractor and not a hoover. I was a little bit disappointed when I first got it but I still rate it as a wonderful tool. If you want pure suction for cleanup spend one fifth of the amount and get a Henry, it will walk all over Festool extractors on the high setting. A mate has a Midi for extraction and a Henry for cleanup. He rarely uses the Henry on the high setting as the nozzles end up getting stuck to things. 

 

[Timtool]

being relatively quiet also doesn't help in creating the impression of strong suction. There is no way that the vacs that scream like jet engines can hold up as long as a Festool vac.
My old CT22 has been abused so much it should have broken down dozens of times, i can't recall how often it shut down on it's own because the bag was filled up to the hose and i barely noticed any reduction in suction...

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I have the larger version of a "Henry", mine is a Charles. It has a larger hose than my CT so I use it for all the dirty work and for cleaning up as well as sucking up water (it is designed for this BTW!)

It has a lot more suck than my CT, but I wouldn't connect it to my TS saws or routers.

Tim.

 

[sancho57]

Ok, besides of the possible points given above, it's just a fact the Festool vacs aren't the strongest ones out there. I don't know why people would say they're so strong, because they're really somewhere in mid range as far as suction power goes. Personally, I'm not bothered about it for one single second. They're quite good as they are.

The hose does have quite some influence on it's suction. Most vacs give you standard a 36 mm hose, but Festool gives you a 27 mm hose because that hose works better with most tools. And that shows you how Festool mainly envision their vacs: as dust extractors, not as mere shop vacs. Their prime concern is picking up dust right at the source, instead of mopping up afterwards. The 27 mm hose is standard on Festool vacs because it is easier to work with because of it's smaller size, while still giving a good enough dust extraction at the tool.

When you do get a 36 mm hose you'll find that the suction is quite a bit increased. The 36 mm hose is definitely recommended for general cleaning tasks. The 27 mm hose really falls short there.

But people should stop expecting the most expensive vac to suck the hardest. That's not how you really define a vacs' performance. I know a number of vacs that are stronger than any of my Festools, but frankly, they're irritating to work with on full suction because they get stuck to a surface all the time.

What are the strongest one out there.

 

[sancho57]

I have the larger version of a "Henry", mine is a Charles. It has a larger hose than my CT so I use it for all the dirty work and for cleaning up as well as sucking up water (it is designed for this BTW!)

It has a lot more suck than my CT, but I wouldn't connect it to my TS saws or routers.

Tim.

I agree because I dont need the strongest suction for a lot of ops. Sanding is one of them for example, I'd rather have a vac that  does what I want it to when I want it to then the strongest one.

 

[blk65brd]

Maybe a joint effort between Festool and Sir James Dyson is in order for the perfect shop vac?

 

[semenza]

     I find this interesting about the suction  power on the CTs compared to other shop vacs.  My CT33 and new version Mini have more than any other shop vac I have used (Shop Vac, Craftsman, etc.)  But maybe that is due to others having clogged filters (hard to avoid on many of them) or being older manufacture?   ???

    I have not used any other "European " brands

 

[AlexThePalex]

What are the strongest one out there.

I don't know exactly which vacs are the strongest of all, but these are the ones I know from personal experience to be stronger than my CTL 22, 26 and Mini:

Home or shop vacs - from Numatic the Henry, Hetty and Charles, from Philips the Barcelona.

Tool vacs - anything by Starmix. Starmix is one of the most proliferate manufacturers of vacuums, and their vacs are rebranded by brands like Metabo, AEG, Bosch, Mafell, Hitachi, Spit, and many more. The pic below shows their most common models, and you can find the same models in many different colours from many different brands. I owned the first one myself, an old beat up thing which I got almost for nothing together with a Festool hose, but it was still stronger than my Festool vacs.

[attachimg=1]   

 

[gkaiseril]

There are lots of things that could be measured like the horse power of the motor, the cubic feet of air moved over a period to time or the vacuum at the vacuum strength at the tool end of the hose. There are also times when less power is needed for a pleasing result.

When sanding one does not want to suck the abrasive into the wood but when vacuuming water one needs all the power one can get.

Air flow is important for vacuuming rugs of different piles with  a dense ply requiring more air movement to remove the unwanted material.

Festool list their maximum suctions (volume of air moved), maximum vacuum (lift), and power consumption.

I think the antistatic hose can affect the volume and vacuum over time as less debris would accumulate within the hose.

Actual use might be the best test of the value of vacuum cleaner. Although Festool prefers Dust Extractors to describe the line and the purpose of the tool.

 

[sancho57]

What are the strongest one out there.

I don't know exactly which vacs are the strongest of all, but these are the ones I know from personal experience to be stronger than my CTL 22, 26 and Mini:

Home or shop vacs - from Numatic the Henry, Hetty and Charles, from Philips the Barcelona.

Tool vacs - anything by Starmix. Starmix is one of the most proliferate manufacturers of vacuums, and their vacs are rebranded by brands like Metabo, AEG, Bosch, Mafell, Hitachi, Spit, and many more. The pic below shows their most common models, and you can find the same models in many different colours from many different brands. I owned the first one myself, an old beat up thing which I got almost for nothing together with a Festool hose, but it was still stronger than my Festool vacs.

[attachimg=1]   

Are you selling your festool vacs?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Are you selling your festool vacs?

No, not really. How did you get that impression? Only thing I'm thinking of is upgrading to the new Mini and sell the old one. Sold the 22 when I got the 26. Perhaps I will also exchange the 26 for a Mini because I don't need the extra volume. But I will definitely stay with 2 Festool vacs. I think the Festool vacs are great, and especially the Mini fits my needs perfectly.

 

[jeep jake]

the larger ridged vacs have some serious power, I use them all the time for jobsite debris. I have used it them on miter saws, and track saws, and it works fine. I think the festool vas work better for tools.

 

[sancho57]

Yup Jake,

Word up Brotherman

My Rigid would put a watermelon through a garden hose, used it with the Kapex for a while. It couldnt handle the fine dust and kept plugging up the filter. Got a old used CT22 for it. Works awesome.